I am looking for a new Android smartphone (currently on iOS).

Obviously I read about GrapheneOS as the „Gold Standard“ of alternative OS. But the downside is that it only runs on Pixels. Which is kinda weird to buy a device from a company you want to „boycott“ (de-Google).

On the other hand I kinda like the approach of Fairphone: most parts are easy repairable, parts are available and cheap compared to Google and Apple. But the downside here is that it isn’t supported by GrapheneOS, doesn’t have the most capable hardware for the price and probably won’t get 7 years of updates like the Pixel 8a in comparison.

So that leaves me with a „analysis paralysis“: I have to choose a device and a CustomROM.

/e/OS does seem interesting but I read some comments that it isn’t that secure like GrapheneOS. I don’t need that high-level of security but it should be significantly more than stock Android to be worth all the hassle by installing/using a CustomROM. On the other hand I don’t want to sacrifice every comfort for the sake of the last bit of (theoretical) security.

Did someone go down this path as well recently and can share some experiences? Maybe there is even some better alternative.

  • DetachablePianist@lemmy.ml
    241·
    1 year ago

    If you buy a new Pixel and then run an alt rom like graphene or lineage, you’re most likeley costing Google money. I believe they manufacture the Pixel at a small loss because they expect to make their money back harvesting and selling your personal data. Denying them that should mean you get decent hardware at a fair price, without really “supporting” Google as much as you fear. I could be wrong, but I’ve definitely seen that mentioned before.

      • BearOfaTime@lemm.ee
        31·
        1 year ago

        I recently bought a Pixel 5 for less than $200.

        I despise paying even that much for a phone.

        • NinjaTeensy@lemmy.world
          2·
          1 year ago

          I don’t recommend others follow suit as the Pixel 5 has stopped receiving security updates. Obviously could use a ROM that has them them but no guarantee or obligation to do so in a timely manner. Pixel 6 however will receive updates until 2026.

  • ArchRecord@lemm.ee
    131·
    1 year ago

    Even if you buy a phone that isn’t a pixel, then you just end up giving money to a different privacy-invasive corporation that will continue to partner with Google for search deals and surveillance advertising.

    Pixels have wide aftermarket repair parts available, relatively reasonable pricing, and the largest support from custom roms since they all test on Pixels as a standard device. (same with app developers)

    Pixels often have longer update periods than other brands, and many custom roms provide extended security updates on top of that.

    Android development is guaranteed to continue supporting at least the Pixel phones over all others, it’ll be easier to repair down the line, and the money Google makes from the sale is nothing compared to the money they’ll lose by having less power to surveil you.

    And as much as I like Fairphone, the specs just aren’t worth the cost currently, although they are catching up as time goes on.

    I personally use a Pixel with GrapheneOS, and it works better than any phone from Samsung I’ve owned in the past. (plus it’s usually a bit easier to unlock the bootloader)

    Just make sure that, no matter what phone you buy, you don’t buy it through your carrier, as that will make your bootloader un-unlockable unless you pay off the full payment plan and have a carrier that supports unlocking the bootloader in the first place.

  • Zicoxy3@lemmy.ml
    2·
    1 year ago

    I have a “old” OnePlus 6t with LineageOS. I try /e/OS and i don’t like me. if I had to buy a smartphone to install a rom in, I would look for a OnePlus 7-8…

  • pkotrcka@discuss.tchncs.de
    1·
    1 year ago

    “…and probably won’t get 7 years of updates like the Pixel 8a in comparison.” - yes it will… FP5 will be supported until 2030, at least (so exactly 7 years from the release in 2023). Since they support their phones like this since FP2, I would trust them in this.

  • Dr_01000111@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    google pixels sadly are the best device for any custom ROM. if you really don’t want to use google and your willing to sacrifice some performance and quality of life I’d recommended the fair phone 5 with /e/os. it is easily repairable and has I think 7 years of support. ofcorse it sacrifices a few qol things of most modern phones like the top end displays or the best photo quality and it costs the same as a google pixel 8 but its all ethically sourced and is a extremely good project and product. I’d reccomend watching reviews first “not Linux tech tips” the software updates fixed most of their issues anyways.